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Medical program adding clinical training in Montana

August 10, 2006 /

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Bear Paw Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization created for the purpose of administering programs to help improve regional economic conditions in Hill, Blaine, Liberty, Chouteau and Phillips Counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations.

A regional program for medical students is adding clinical training at hospitals in Missoula and Billings.

It’s part of an increased emphasis on rural and small-town training in the WWAMI program at the University of Washington.

"People who are from Montana can train in Montana. I really believe in that," said Dr. Craig Eddy, a vice president and chief medical officer at St. Patrick Hospital.

Both St. Patrick and Community Medical Center in Missoula are participating in the program.

Known as WWAMI (which is an acronym for the states involved: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho), the program began in 1972 as a way to educate physicians from the region.

Twenty students a year from Montana enter the four-year program. Each state helps underwrite the cost.

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2006/08/10/bnews/br14.txt